We start where you are
In our first session I'll ask about your background so I understand your situation properly. Together we set goals and make a plan around how many sessions your concerns might take.
I'm Theresa Martinovich, a registered counsellor in Orewa on the Hibiscus Coast. For over two decades I've sat alongside people working through anxiety, addiction, trauma and the seasons of life that feel too heavy to carry alone.
My non-judgemental approach will help you work through the barriers keeping you from living fully. I encourage and support you to find solutions that are genuine and specific to you.
In our first session I'll ask about your background so I understand your situation properly. Together we set goals and make a plan around how many sessions your concerns might take.
I'm skilled in brief solution-focused therapy, and the majority of my clients see significant shifts within the first three sessions. You won't be here longer than you need to be.
My training spans cognitive behavioural, solution-focused, acceptance and commitment, and existential therapies, grounded in person-centred practice — plus sandtray and interactive drawing.
“We know what we are, but not what we may be.”William Shakespeare
One-hour sessions in Orewa or over Zoom, for teenagers through to mature adults. I'm comfortable working cross-culturally and I welcome diversity.
Anger management programmes and mindfulness groups. I'm a qualified teacher of the Koru/MIEA Mindfulness programme and have taught over 200 adults.
Supervision for practitioners, backed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Supervision and two decades of frontline experience across mental health and addiction services.
Her non-judgmental, calm and accepting approach immediately allowed me to feel incredibly safe. I felt like it was ok to disclose my deepest fears and not be judged about my reactions and ways of coping. She helped me to heal, to learn and to grow.
Theresa is a warm, supportive and pragmatic supervisor. Her vast experience and highly considered judgement are invaluable. I learnt from Theresa in every session, because she valued my time and energy as much as her own — so I always left with what I needed.
Thursdays in Orewa, or online on other days. Reach out and we'll find a time that works.
I specialise in helping people identify and achieve their personal goals by coping with the issues causing them distress and anxiety. I am professional, warm and confidential.
I have worked as a counsellor for over two decades in a number of different settings in both Northland and Auckland. I have a background in community and mental health, and alcohol and drug services, and I have worked at two university health and counselling centres, at Rape Crisis, and held a private practice for 12 years in Northland.
I am very experienced counselling clients from teenage years to mature adults and feel comfortable working cross-culturally — I welcome diversity. I have worked for Victim Support, Family Court and EAP services, delivered anger management programmes and taught mindfulness groups. I have had a private practice at Orewa since 2019.
My non-judgemental approach will assist you to work through any barriers that are hindering you from living and reaching your full potential. I am skilled with brief solution-focused work, and the majority of my clients see significant shifts within the first three sessions.
My background training is in a range of therapies including cognitive behavioural, solution-focused, acceptance and commitment, and existential therapies. Because of my working background with addictions, I also utilise motivational interviewing. My foundation training is in person-centred therapy — generally, this means that I encourage and support you to find the solutions that are genuine and specific to you, using the therapies that are most suitable to you.
Due to past work experiences, my areas of specialty include addictions (including alcohol and other drugs), sexual abuse, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, mindfulness and stress management. I can also provide motivation for long-term projects.
Additional to talking therapies, I use sandtray and interactive drawing therapies, and I provide clinical supervision. I am a qualified teacher of the Koru/MIEA Mindfulness programme and have taught over 200 adults the fundamental skills of meditation and living more mindfully.
I am originally from Ruawai in Northland, New Zealand, but moved to Auckland in 2006. I have five adult children and five grandies, including identical twin granddaughters — family are the most important thing to me.
I regularly practice meditation and find this has helped me be more responsive instead of reactive to my feelings. I love the sea and all it encompasses. I walk the beach every day and enjoy boating, fishing and swimming.
Sessions are one hour. My private practice is at The Practice, 498 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa — Thursdays in person, or online on other days.
Working with anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, relationship difficulties and life transitions — for teenagers through to mature adults.
Anger management programmes and Koru/MIEA mindfulness groups teaching the fundamental skills of meditation and living more mindfully.
Reflective, structured supervision for counsellors and practitioners, with particular strength in working with risk.
Payment is by cash or bank transfer on the day, or prior to attending.
Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged at the full rate.
I am registered to provide counselling funded by:
I will ask background information at our first session to help me understand your situation. We will then set some goals and make a plan around the number of sessions it might take to work through your concerns.
Free New Zealand helplines, websites and apps that can help right now — whether or not we ever work together.
Shared with permission by clients and supervisees I have worked alongside.
Doing a PhD abroad presents a number of challenges. I have been seeking guidance from Theresa for the last 2.5 years of my doctoral studies to facilitate navigating through my problems, so I could reach my goals. She has helped me devise practical plans for problem solving, using a variety of techniques. Theresa is personable, generous, outgoing and positive. She is a recommended asset to well-being development.
I saw Theresa when I was going through an incredibly painful experience and felt totally alone. Her non-judgmental, calm and accepting approach immediately allowed me to feel incredibly safe. I felt like it was ok to disclose my deepest fears and not be judged about my reactions and ways of coping. She helped me to heal, to learn and to grow. Under her guidance I was able to accept my experiences and find helpful ways to deal with the difficult emotions I was struggling with. Our work together has continued to help me move forward after our sessions and will continue to be helpful through my life. The time we spent together was effective and I noticed a huge reduction in my symptoms of distress. Theresa was able to sense what I needed and allowed me to be myself. Above all she was genuine and human in her approach, and I wholeheartedly recommend her for anyone seeking guidance and help.
Theresa is a warm, supportive and pragmatic supervisor. Her vast experience and highly considered judgement are invaluable. I learnt from Theresa in every session, because she valued my time and energy as much as her own — so I always left with what I needed. She challenged me and gave me a robust structure when working with risk, so that I felt I'd attended to my work completely, leaving me confident and reassured. I'd recommend Theresa to anyone looking for a supervisor they can truly learn from — your work will be all the more rich and encompassing for it.
I have known Theresa since 2016. Theresa is the most amazing counsellor I've met. Theresa is not only very professional, but also she is a warm and genuine person, who truly understands and cares what I've been through. She always shows the highest degree of empathy and she has “magical powers” to inspire me in many kinds. I really appreciate Theresa's support and love. I have no hesitation in acknowledging Theresa's professionalism.
I could tell her what I cannot accept. Also, I could get understanding, caring and support from her. Unconsciously, I accepted her way of thinking and adopted it into my life. Then, unexpected changes began. I became brave. I became confident. I understand the responsibility as well as understand that everyone should be responsible for their own. I learned that I should treat myself and others equally. I also knew that I should slowly open my heart.
Now, although difficulties and fears occasionally come back to knock on my door, I'm not afraid anymore. I have decided to face it with new thinking, attitudes and treatments. Besides, I will accept any possible results and take those experiences as learning. I really cannot describe how grateful I am to her.
Thursdays in Orewa, or online on other days. Send a message and I'll get back to you — or call if you'd rather talk.